Highway sign support



@cfi. 9, 1956 w. c. ANDERSON ET AL 27 5 HIGHWAY SIGN SUPPORT Filed Jan. 14, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 g EN REGHT 1 :*=?@UTE so I ATTORNEYS 0m, 9, 1956 w. c. ANDERSON ET AL 2,765,554

HIGHWAY SIGN SUPPORT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS mam Anderson a BY Syalm ylhflewey '2! Filed Jan. 14, 1953 ATTORNEYS Units Sets? Pa n ,6

1 2,765,554 HIGHWAY SIGN SUPPORT W. Carl Anderson and Sydney L. Dewey, Canton, Ohio,

assignors to The Union Metal Manufacturing Company, Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Qhio 7 Application January 14, 1953, Serial No. 331,248 1 Claim. (Cl. 40-128) The invention relates to a new and improved sign support construction and more particularly and specifically to a novel sign support construction for bridging highway trafiic lanes to permit the suspension of signs directly above such trafiic lanes.

It has been the general practice, when displaying tratfic signs adjacent highway trafiic lanes, to provide either a straight vertical support to position the sign adjacent the side of the lane, or to use a davit type pole to partially suspend the sign over one side of the lane.

However, in modern road and highway construction with the trend toward turnpikes and super-highways of four, six and even eight lane construction it becomes increasingly desirable to suspend trafiic directional and in formatio n al signs directly above the individual traffic lanes so that they are readily visible to motorists in all of the lanes without usual interference from other vehicles on one side or the other.

Bridge-like or latticed structures also have been used to support signs over trafiic lanes, railroad tracks and like paths of transportation, but such structures have been awkward, bulky and expensive to erect and diificult and expensive to maintain where the structural members had the necessary strength to withstand the sign loads as well as the loads and stresses resulting from climatic conditions to which the structures were subjected, so that such constructions have been unsatisfactory. Thus an unsatisfied need has existed for a highway sign construction, which is ideally designed from the standpoint of strength for supporting signs in long spans across highways, which may be quickly, and easily erected and which may be efficiently and inexpensively maintained.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved sign support construction or structure which readily permits the suspension of a sign or signs directly above the trafiic lanes of a highway and which avoids the numerous difficulties and disadvantages presented by or inherent in sign supports heretofore available or used.

it is a further object of the present invention to provide a new sign support construction which permits the chicient and safe suspension of signs over each lane of a multi-lane highway, and which also permits any such sign to face at any desired angle either highway direction.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a sign support construction which has maximum strength and stability with a minimum of material forming the sign and sign supporting structure.

Still a further object of the instant invention rests in the provision of a sign support construction which is so assembled and constructed as to permit deflection under ice, snow, sleet and wind loading without failure.

it is still another object of the present invention to provide a sign support construction wherein the sign support devices are adjustable to permit suspension above traffic lanes of plural signs and of signs of varying dimensions.

Yet another object of the present sign support construction is to provide a structure which may be quickly, easily and inexpensively erected to position signs at desired locations above highway traflic lanes.

An additional object of the instant invention rests in providing a sign support construction in which the sign Fatented Oct. 9, 1956 engaging and supporting elements are adjustable so as to allow angular positioning of the sign downwardly from the vertical to enable the sign to be more easily read from the tr'aflic lane above which the sign is suspended.

Still further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sign support construction which, when a plurality of support structures are used in a series arrangement in conjunction with plural highway trafiic lanes, will permit the use of a single element between substaiitially adjacent lanes to serve as a common support for the suspension of signs above both of said adjacent lanes, thus reducing the number of structural elements necessary.

Another and important object of the present invention is the provision of a sign support construction which may be erected with support structures in series in conjunction with plural and substantially adjacent highway trafiic lanes wherein the structural elements of the sign support construction offer no obstacle to the movement or safety of traffic traveling in the plural lanes.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new sign support construction in which sign support structures may be erected in series and in which the signs supported by each structure in the series may be angled, laterally, with respect to any sign supported by any other structure of the series.

Still a further object of this invention is the provision of a hi hway sign support construction having the characteristics described and which has an attractive and unobtrusive structural arrangement for the suspension of signs above highway traflic lanes.

Finally, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a sign support construction which is extremely simple,

r inexpensive, and durable in design, which may be manufactured and erected at very relatively low cost, and which may be maintained with a minimum of effort and expense.

These and other objects may be accomplished by the parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations, subcombinations and elements comprising the present invention, the nature of which is set forth in the following general statement, a preferred embodiment of which illustrative of the best mode in which applicants have contemplated applying the principles-is set forth in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and which is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claim forming a part hereof.

in general terms the novel and improved sign support construction comprising the instant invention may be stated as including a plurality of spaced, tapered, tubular poles supported vertically adjacent the sides of highway tratiic lanes, a cross beam formed of two axially aligned tapered tubular sections having their large ends rigidly secured in end to end abutment, means for flexibly securing the extremities of the beam adjacent to the upper ends of the poles to support the beam horizontally therebetween, and sign support elements positioned in spaced relationship on the beam and adjustable axially thereon and rotatably thereabout.

Referring to the drawings forming part hereof, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of example:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the sign support construction in a series arrangement;

Fig. 2 is a partial horizontal section taken on line 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-4, Fig. 1;

Fig; 5 is a partial vertical section of a base anchoring means;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a modified base anchoring means;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the central beam joint; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified central beam joint.

In the accompanying drawings, similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

While the invention is shown and described herein with relation to a sign support erected in conjunction with traflic lanes of a highway, it is to be understood that the sign support construction comprising the present invention is equally applicable for use over railways, water ways, and other paths of transportation, or for other sign or directive purposes.

Referring now to the drawings, where in Fig. 1 there are shown adjacent and substantially parallel highway tritlic lanes 1 and 2, the improved sign support construction is illustrated in conjunction with these traific lanes to permit the suspension of trafiic direction or traflic informational signs above each of the two lanes.

Referring to the construction which supports sign 3 above the traffic lane 2, such construction includes a tapered tubular pole 4 which has its extremity of greatest diameter supported in a base 5 to position the pole vertically adjacent one side of the traflic lane. The pole 4 is provided at its upper extremity with a conventional cap element 6 including a decorative knob 6a having a flanged mouth 6b carrying plural set screws 6c to secure the mouth over the pole end. This knob serves to close the upper end of the pole and to prevent the entry of moisture and other foreign matter into the pole which would otherwise damage and deteriorate the pole.

Adjacent the upper end of the pole a spaced distance below the cap member 6 there is secured a resilient clamp element 7 of the type generally disclosed in Patent No. 2,570,985, and which includes a pair of complementary metallic elements 8 and 9 each having arcuate central portions terminating in substantially triangularly formed lip extensions 10 at each end thereof. The arcuate portions of the resilient members are positioned against opposed portions of the circumference of the pole and the triangular lip portions at adjacent ends of the arcuate members are inter-connected by nut and bolt means 11 thereby securely clamping the two resilient portions on the pole to form a resilient clamp thereon.

Welded to the outer arcuate face of one of said resilient members of the clamp 7 is a lug member 12 which extends perpendicularly therefrom in a horizontal plane. A passageway lug member to extend vertically therethrough. The combination of the clamp and the extended lug forms a support element for one extremity of the beam to be hereinafter described.

A second tapered pole 14 is erected vertically in a base member 15 on the opposite side of the highway traffic lane 2 from the pole 4, said pole 14 being provided with a cap member 6 and being additionally provided with a clamp member 7 at its upper end of the same construction as the clamp member 7 carried by pole 4. In assembly, the clamp members are securely positioned upon the poles 4 and 14 so as to provide for horizontal alignment of the lug members 12 of the two clamp elements.

A beam member 16 is secured at its extremities to the clamp members 7 of the poles 4 and 14 to suspend the beam horizontally between the posts.

The beam member 16 comprises a pair of tapered, tubular sections 16a and 16b each of which is identical, and said sections are positioned with their ends of greatest diameter in end to end alignment and abutment at which point they are rigidly interconnected to form a single unit.

The connection of the form of a metallic strap the elements 16a and 16b may take 17 positioned about the 13 is formed substantially centrally of the 4 circumference of the joined tapered beam sections to overlap a portion of each, such as is illustrated in Fig. 7, with said strap being welded as at 18 to each of the sections thus rigidly interconnecting them.

A modified construction for attaching the beam sections 16a and 16b in end to end alignment is shown in Fig. 8, wherein the large ends of the beam sections are provided with perpendicular flanges 19 and 20 which are welded about the ends of said sections, and which flanges are rigidly interconnected by nut and bolt means 21 in the usual manner. This facilitates shipment of the beams to the place of erection where long lengths are involved.

The outer extremities of the beam 16, which are secured to the poles, are provided with cap members 22 of a larger diameter than the outside diameter of the beam 16 (Figs. 2 and 3) which caps are welded to the ends of the tubular beam to close the same and which caps in turn carry ear members 23 and 24 welded thereon to extend in spaced apart relationship outwardly endwise of the beam. The ears 23 and 24 are provided with substantially centrally formed openings 25 and 26 therethrough, said openings being aligned transversely of the ears.

In securing the beam to the pole members, the ears 23 and 24 at each end of the beam are disposed respectively above and below the lugs 12 carried by the clamps 7 on the poles, and pintles or pins 27 are positioned through the aligned openings 25 and 26 in the beam ears and at the same time through the openings 13 in the intermediate lugs. The pintles are secured in place by means of enlarged head, at the upper ends thereof and washers 28 and cotter pins 29 in the usual manner at the lower ends thereof.

As best illustrated in Fig. 3, the spacing of the cars 23 and 24 on the beam ends is substantially greater than the vertical thickness of the lugs 12 whereby a limited clearance 30 is provided between the lug and the lower ear 24 at each end of the beam when the beam is resting in its normal position. Also, the pin 27 has a loose fit or clearance in the openings 13 and 25 in the lug 12 and ears 23 and 24 as shown in Fig. 3. Accordingly, a limited rocking motion is obtainable between the ears and the lugs about the pintles 27 for purposes hereinafter described.

Thus a tubular beam tapered from the center portion thereof toward the ends is suspended between the upper end portions of the spaced poles and secured to the poles so that there is a pivotal connection between the beams and the poles in a horizontal plane and a limited allowance or clearance is provided for a vertical rocking movement of the beams about their attachment to the poles when the beams are deflected downwardly at their centers under ice and snow loads.

Additional resilient clamp members of identical construction with the clamp members 7 are secured in spaced relationship on the beam and each of said clamps is provided with an elongated tubular arm 41 welded centrally of its length to the outer face of one of the two resilient arms of each of the clamps. Each of said tubular arms is provided at each extremity thereof with a cap portion 42 having a perpendicular flange 43 extending outwardly from one circumferential edge of the cap with said flanges being provided with bolt holes therein whereby the opposed frame portions 44 of a sign 45 may be rigidly secured to such flanges.

Thus, as is best seen in Fig. l, a sign 45 may be supported top and bottom to the upper and lower flanges of plural vertically disposed arms 41 carried by clamps 40 on the beam in spaced apart relationship.

The use of the clamp members 40 for supporting the sign carrying bracket arms 41 to the beam readily permits the adjustment of said clamps and arms axially of the beam to accommodate signs of varied dimension, and such construction likewise permits the rotation of said clamps upon the beam to secure the bracket arms 41 in any angular position with respect to the vertical, such as is shown in Fig. 4, to render the signs more easily read from positions therebelow as would be desirable in the case of motorists traveling in the traflic lanes above which the signs are suspended.

The base means for the tubular poles, as shown in Fig. 5 and as indicated at 5 in Fig. 1, includes an annular member 50 having horizontal flange portions 51 through which hold down bolts 52 may be extended to secure the member 50 to a foundation or the like. The pole members are telescopically received in the open top of the members 50 and are welded as at 53 Within the circumference of the sockets of members 50 to rigidly interconnect the bases and poles whereby the poles will be securely supported in vertical positions when the bases are secured horizontally to a foundation by means of their hold down bolts 52.

The base means as shown in Fig. 6, and as designated as 15 at Fig. 1, includes a horizontal base plate 60 having radially disposed buttress plates 61 spaced thereabout and extending from the outer circumference inwardly for a given distance whereby the inner vertical faces 62 of the buttress plates form a skeleton tube into which the lower ends of the poles 14 are received and welded to securely interconnect the base and the pole. Hold down bolt arragnements 63 are provided in spaced arrangement about the base plate 60 permitting the base plate to be securely anchored to a concrete or like foundation where- ?y the poles will be securely supported vertically thererom.

The particular design and arrangement of the base means for the poles is variable, and the above described constructions are merely illustrative of numerous pole base arrangements which may be used.

The construction described above afiords a sign support which utilizes a tapered pole construction from which tremendous advantage is gained in strength imparted to the entire construction for carrying the loads normally incident to supporting signs as well as the additional strength required to endure the added climatic loads of wind, ice and snow.

Further, the present construction utilizes an ideal beam structure with a beam tapered from its center toward the ends thereof.

Thus, the conjunctive use of swivel joints between the extremities of the ideal beam and the upper end portions of the poles with the tapered poles and the ideal beam provides for the bending movements in the structure under wind and like loads to occur centrally of the beam at which point the greatest degree of deflection is obtainable without failure.

Still further, the use of spaced sign supporting clamps on the ideal beam construction provides for a substantial freedom of movement between the sign and the beam, and this provision for unequal deflection of the sign and the beam under loads further prevents failures in the entire assembly.

Additionally, the inherent capability of deflection and flexibility offers unlimited freedom in the assembly of the entire structure thereby greatly faciliating and reducing the cost incident to the erection of the construc tion.

Likewise, the two part beam construction, and the easily detachable connections between the poles and the beams permit greater ease in handling and shipment of the several parts of the overall structure.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a new and novel sign support construction which may be used to support a sign, or signs, over individual or plural highway traflic lanes.

Further, the instant invention provides a sign support construction which affords structural solutions to the problems of akwardness, bulk, expense and difficult erection which exist in prior constructions.

Finally, because of the tubular construction of the poles and beans, they are readily adapted for wiring for traific lights or lighting fixtures mounted either on the poles or beans.

Additionally, when used in conjunction with plural traffic lanes the poles of the present construction may be arranged in series, either in a straight line or in angular relationship to permit the pole members intermediate the end poles of the series to serve as a common support for the ends of two or more beans, thereby further conserving in materials and labor in erecting the signs.

Likewise, the constructions comprising the instant invention permit the safe and inexpensive suspension of signs directly and centrally above individual highway trafiic lanes where they are more readily visible than signs supported by constructions heretofore utilized.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described in conjunction with highway traflic lanes, it is to be understood that such a construction is equally applicable in forming a bridge-type support for any application where such a support is desirable and advantageous regardless of its purpose.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for descriptive purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiment of the improved construction illustrated and described herein is by way of example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction.

Having now described the invention, the construction, the operation and use of a preferred embodiment thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful methods and constructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claim.

We claim:

In a support for suspending signs above highway traffic lanes, tapered tubular poles supported vertically one on each side of a highway traflic lane, a tubular beam tapered from the center toward each end thereof, means located at the ends of the beam and between the beam ends and upper end portions of the poles horizontally pivotally and vertically rockably connecting the ends of said beam to the upper end portions of the poles horizontally supporting the beam between the poles, said means including a horizontally projecting lug on the upper end portion of each pole, a pair of vertically spaced ears mounted on each end of the beam, the spacing between ears of each pair being substantially greater than the vertical thickness of said lugs providing a limited clearance between the ears and lug, there being vertically aligned openings through the ears and lug, a vertically positioned pivot pin in said aligned openings, the pivot pin having a loose fit in said openings, and spaced means on the beam rigidly supporting a sign thereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,059,579 Tobey Apr. 22, 1913 1,123,925 Roderick Ian. 5, 1915 1,781,277 Gommeter Nov. 11, 1930 1,812,117 Rastetter June 30, 1931 1,825,996 Ehlenfeld Oct. 6, 1931 2,050,280 Dean Aug. 11, 1936 2,401,799 Riemenschneider et al. June 11, 1946 2,584,713 Kanaval Feb. 5, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 121,522 Australian June 13, 1946 172,149 Great Britain Dec. 8, 1921 

